ICynosure: July 2014

Every year as I head for the Lakmé Fashion Week, I'm usually looking forward to a couple of shows and try to wrigle out of a few. This August brings in some exciting news about the LFW Winter/Festive season and I am so looking forward to the season that unfolds between August 20th-24th at a brand new venue the Palladium hotel. If the curtain raiser held there is anything to go by, it's extremely promising.

Early this week the curtain raiser did spring on a few surprises on us, and we at iCynosure are extremely looking forward to these...

5 Things At The Lakmé Curtain Raiser That Excited Us

1. The Opening Show

DHL presents celebrated designers Masaba Gupta and Amit Aggarwal for the opening show of the Lakmé Fashion Week Winter Festive 2014. It's the first time for both these talented young designers to set the stage up-front and up the ante.

2. The Grand Finale

Manish Malhotra will flaunt his collection inspired by the Lakmé Absolute Gloss range to conclude the fashion week. True to his glamorous outings in Bollywood and Lakmé rich gloss the collection would surely be what show stoppers are made of. Whats most exciting is that Kareena Kapoor Khan will join forces with him again this year.

3. Children's Show

A children's show was announced at the curtain raiser in association with children's brands Hamleys, Barbie and Hot Wheels. It is a first of it's kind at the Lakmé Fashion Week where children aged 6-12 years will walk the ramp, isn't that really cute?

4. Fashion Unity

The season shall celebrate design talent from all over the world including Australia, Japan and Pakistan. Celebrated Australian fashion design duo Easton Pearson will showcase their collection in partnership with R and B International while Pakastani trends shall be presented by designers Faiza Samee, Rizwan Beyg, Sania Maskatiya and Zara Shahjahan, who will also mark their LFW debut. British high street fashion brands – River Island and Miss Selfridge available on Jabong.com will be showcased as well.

5. The Lakme Bridal Dream Team and Masterclass
As the trousseau couturier Manish Malhotra’s collection along with make-up expert Daniel Bauer's coveted GLOSS looks will be the thing to watch out for. For normals like myself the much awaited makeup Masterclass by Lakmé, will feature the Absolute Bridal Dream Team along with Lakmé’s digital face - Sarah Jane Dias to unveil the biggest bridal trends for the season.

It is such an exciting time, so stay tuned to iCynosure for all the updates.
~ Heena

No comments

When I received the invite for the Tata Zest Launch in Goa, I just couldn't hide my excitement. The only thing stopping me was leaving my 28-month young princess along in care of family members. But that’s when the man in shining armour came to my rescue and I literally ran out of the house to catch my flight in the morning.

Tata Motors Launch Event For Tata Zest In Goa

The day began splendidly with the first cab driver I hailed said a BIG YEA to drive me to the airport. And that was the beginning of all things great. In a good few hours, we arrived at the Zuri White Sands in Goa for a sumptuous lunch. What followed was an awesome weekend full of fun, surprises and awesomeness. Over the course of the two days we had many experiences and what shone through were three elements.....

DESIGN

The initiative taken by Tata Motors was a sure shot winner right from the onset. A program outlined for India's top 50 bloggers to experience the hospitality, technology, innovative product and have a chance to review the same product with each other while shouting out loud all over social media was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Honestly, I am humbled and definitely felt most privileged to be part of such a wonderful pool of talent from across the country. Flown out from our respective cities into the hottest location in the country, Goa to be treated like royalty is nothing short of a dream vacation. The activities lined up for us were not only informative but also exciting and fun to execute. What started with a warm informal blogger session with the adda team anchored by Ankita, was followed up by an informative Masterclass by a panel of knowledgeable experts. Being able to hear the passion in the voices of the brains behind the marvel at a specially organised class was wonderful as was the super surprise that was thrown in at us. Interacting with India's F1 heartthrob Narain Karthikeyan was the icing on the cake. The program though a bit tight in schedule was perfectly in sync that helped us get the best out of it. Truly Spectacular! And not to forget a mesmerising hotel with courteous staff and the white sands as the backdrop, Wow Zuri White Sands. Dinner and a quick beach tour later off we were to dream about the Zest and wanting to wake up the next day to get our hands on the super sleek vehicle. With Flag Off almost on time, we began the drive and after an exhilarating ride all we wanted to do is what we do best. Blog about our Zest experience!

DRIVE

Oh, where do I begin? It was the moment all of us were waiting for, and after much wait, it arrived early Sunday morning. A brief about the controls and the must-try features and we were set to hit the road. With a GoPro camera fitted in the cars, it was a treat to express what we felt as we tried every new feature available. Switching modes, switching from the driving to passenger seats, exploring the vehicle inside out, stopping at scenic places to take pictures and super selfies to just relaxing on the way to speak to MissMalini and the Tata team members was a #ZestUpYourLife drive. What was fascinating that both the variant though similar were a different experience in themselves. All I can say is, It's Not Zest Another Car.

CONNECT

The blogging world is all about relationships and what better way to connect than at a meet? What I really loved about the Tata Zest #ZestUpYourLife Blogger Meet was the way they brought the blogging community together to enjoy not only the product but also the company of other bloggers. The fact that we were referred to as the top 50 bloggers of the country brought wonderful happy smiles on all our faces time and again. Not only were the members of the Tata group forthcoming and helpful in resolving our queries, trying to fulfil our requests but also were willing to walk that extra mile to help us achieve the objective of the event. Meets are usually organized by numerous brands but in a way that it becomes competitive amongst the bloggers, however, Team Tata and Team Blogadda both gave each of us space, attention and the respect that we deserve. The meet has helped me connect with bloggers, blogadda, team Tata in a very personal committed manner, strengthening our ties and forming friendships like never before.

This evening when on my way home, I was thinking to myself that Tata Motors need to do a Meet again on similar lines of DesignNext, DriveNext and ConnectNext soon again. Just as I said this out loud, I laughed to myself thinking that they just did it with the world-class TATA ZEST.

I had the most fabulous weekend, and you? Tell me what you did that truly did #ZestUpYourLife and I'll send some lovely Goa souvenirs your way.

Until next time,
~ Heena

No comments

Since the time I was eligible to drive, I've lived in London… studying, working and then finally settling after my wedding. I loved to drive in the British Capital not only because of the systematic beauty of the perfect road manners but also because of the automatic drive. Almost 99% people that I knew drove an automatic but the percentage back home in India is almost the opposite with everyone wanting the manual route.

When we moved back I had a tough time adjusting to manual vehicles and the crazy traffic conditions in Mumbai. Coupled with these factors, and the soaring petrol prices with an unavailability of automatic affordable versions I have practically stopped driving in traffic-laden Mumbai infested with rickshaws and scooter-bikes.

That's going to be true, until Now! Having experienced the newly launched Tata Zest, I can confidently say that my love-affair with driving is in its blossoming stage and shall soon be a full-fledged romance. Targeted at the young guns like myself, Tata has entered the fastest growing Indian car category with a much thought-out practical approach. Giving tough competition to its competitors like Maruti D’Zire (I sporadically drive this at the moment) and the Honda Amaze, Tata Zest scores higher points through various aspects of design, overall built, comfort, cabin, boot space and hopefully even fuel efficiency.

The three avenues that the team at Tata has based the new product and future launches on DesignNext, DriveNext and ConnectNext. The DesignNext exteriors have been accentuated by three prominent cuts and lines... The Humanity, Diamond DLO and the Slingshot. The DriveNext has been armed with a Revotron 1.2T that offers Multi-drive modes which could be enjoyed at the click of a button.

The exterior is a visible change, far away from the other cars from the TATA Garage. The external body looks well thought of with a sleek stylish exterior that enhances driver productivity. What I really liked are the placement of the fog lights and the daytime lights giving room to each other and the shape of the projector headlights which makes it look super classy. Even the LED tail lamps are highlighted with wraparound LED and a chrome strip. The highlight is that the vehicle isn’t compromised with small sized tyres, but are loaded with 15-inch alloy wheels that would enable great ground clearance. That is a blessing on Indian roads, especially Mumbai where no road remains the same after every monsoon and the potholes get bigger and wider each day.

The interiors are right in the league with all its competitors and even surpass popular features of some much-liked cars. The cabin is more spacious and the dashboard could give competition to the best in the industry. The cabin is comfortable for five individuals with decent seat and leg room at both front and rear. A positive improvement in the infotainment and voice command is noteworthy, powered by a Harman touchscreen with Bluetooth connectivity and 8 speakers. Voila that's my music room everywhere I go.... soft music for a romantic drive with my husband or foot-tapping numbers for when I drive around with my pals.

You have to give the credit to the engineers who I believe have put in that extra Zest in ensuring greatness under the bonnet as well as with a 1.2-litre Revotron engine. Though I’m not such a technical wizard, even I understand that the four-cylinder engine extends into an amazing torque aiding easy manoeuvring through traffic while aiding a quick switch between three drive modes – Sport, City and Eco.

MY ZEST EXPERIENCE
I drove both the variants (Manual Petrol and Automatic Diesel) in scenic Goa through a mix of smooth and rough roads and the drive was comfortable. Apart from the things that made me look again, things that really stood out for me are the first in its class stability factor with the way it is built with pronounced cuts and lines, the Revotron engine, a hard-baked steel body that protects during incidents and an above expected phone-voice integration. I loved the ease of altering between the multi-drive modes Eco, City and Sport at just a click of a button. When I switched on to the passenger seat, it was even more spectacular. The passenger seat is spacious and comfortable with enough shoulder and legroom in both front and rear seats.

The Zest is by far the most fashionable, the most comfortable and the most updated car in India today. The Manual petrol was a good drive with most of it smooth while the Automatic Diesel was a dream. Between both the variants, I personally felt that the Switch Modes worked better on the automatic version as compared to the manual version. Of all the modes, the Sport mode adds a zing to the driving experience with a five-speed transition and three digit speed limits that can be easily achieved. The two factors that would really influence my purchasing power and up the ante for the world-class product are the price positioning and the on-road and off-road mileage.

My vote would definitely go for the AMT Diesel as I have driven an automatic most of my life. Having said that, it is not the easiest thing to get along with and like everything else will take some time getting used to. But once I've had a hang of it, it will be a blessing in disguise especially in a city like Bombay to #ZestUpYourLife.

Until next time,
~ Heena

No comments

The Vogue Beauty Awards witnessed a sea of gorgeous woman from various walks of the fashion and beauty industry strut their stuff on the red or should I say orange carpet. Some were hits and some were misses. Some disappointed with the routine while some experimented to shine through. Let's see...

Fashion Hits And Misses At The Vogue Beauty Awards

Parineeti Chopra in Dior, iCynosure Verdict: Hit

Parineeti attended the event wearing a wide-legged Dior jumpsuit. I loved her look except the overly bright lipstick and the pointed pumps. She won Flawless Face of the Year at the Awards, however, her overall look and posture reminds me of another beautiful belle from the industry. Maybe because she was styled by Anaita Shroff Adajania.

Shilpa Shetty in Monisha Jaising, iCynosure Verdict: Almost Hit

Shilpa looked her awesome self in a Monisha Jaising Couture cutout gown as she styled it with diamond earrings and some gorgeous rings. Dramatic eyes and a flirty ponytail completed her look. With a body like that she can carry practically anything, however, I would have like a little more at the neckline.

Dipannita Sharma in Frou Frou, iCynosure Verdict: Hit
Quite unexpected Dipannita’s Archana Rao saree was a treat for sore eyes. The only thing I would have altered was the loosely thrown shoulder drape.

Huma Qureshi in Amit Aggarwal, iCynosure Verdict: Hit
Huma looked great in her Amit Aggarwal gown with her hair up and great lip shade. The strappy sandals added oomph to the look. A refreshing change from most of her not so noteworthy appearances, I like.

Ileana D'Cruz in Kommal Sood, iCynosure Verdict: Miss

Ileana looked mesmerizing in a strapless Kommal Sood chiffon lavender gown that highlighted her upper body with a bodice. I loved her soft makeup and side-swept hair, but the silhouette made her look large.

Kajol in Shehlaa by Shehla Khan, iCynosure Verdict: Miss

Kajol wore a Shehlaa by Shehla Khan lace pantsuit with rebounded straight hair a Jimmy Choo clutch and gold pumps. I thought…. well forget what my opinion is, what the hell was she thinking?

Kangana Ranaut in Namrata Joshipura, iCynosure Verdict: Hit

Just as expected Kangana looked every inch the glamour fashionista she is now being recognized as in her Namrata Joshipura pencil skirt and bralet. Statement earrings and Tom Ford sandals completed her look. I loved the way she wore her hair… fun and flirty.

Lisa Haydon in Deme by Gabriella, iCynosure Verdict: Miss

Lisa attended to bag the Breakthrough of the Year award wearing Deme by Gabriella. She went in for her tried and tested look in a slinky cutout dress which for me did nothing for her. It is a look that she has sported umpteen times, and I’d like her to make different choices.

Neha Dhupia in Heumn, iCynosure Verdict: Hit

Wearing Huemn separates; Neha experimented with a jacket that would otherwise be considered a No-No. However, pairing the outfit with a fabulous choker neckpiece did the wonders and she pulled off an amazingly sleek look with hair pulled back. A great look but I would trade the pumps with strappy sandals.

Niamat Bakshi in Peter Pilotto, iCynosure Verdict: Hit

Socialite Niamat Bakshi picked a Peter Pilotto Origami Pleat A-Line Dress with a box clutch and ankle-strap heels. She looked great.

Nimrat Kaur in Shehlaa by Shehla Khan, iCynosure Verdict: Miss

Newbie Nimrat went the retro way with her look, however, the Shehlaa gown did nothing for her. Not sure whether it was the heavy duty makeup or the uneven length of the inner material that didn't work.

Twinkle Khanna in Diane von Furstenberg, iCynosure Verdict: Almost Hit

Twinkle true to the Timeless Beauty award she won, she chose a classic DvF print wrap dress with some breathtaking jewellery. The green minaudière stood in contrast with the dress. She looked good, but I think a bit older than she actually is.

Aditi Rao Hydari in Monisha Jaising, iCynosure Verdict: Almost Hit

Aditi looked great in a Monisha Jaising Couture dress at the awards. She kept it simple with dark lips, black pumps and side-swept hair.

Kriti Sanon in Dior, iCynosure Verdict: Miss

Kriti looked like she was out on a casual coffee date wearing a striped dress from Dior‘s Spring 2014 collection. With her hair flying around and hardly any accessory the look was not one for an Awards Ceremony.

What do you think of iCynosure's Fashion Verdict?
~ Heena

Follow iCynosure on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest for your dose of updates.

2 comments

In my world of endless disasters, it's imperative that I find my superhero, someone who comes to my rescue and saves me. Someone like Batman, the Dark Knight.

In the year 1939, Batman first made his presence felt and immediately found a following amongst all. Over the years he has become the oh so popular and has flown out from the pages of the DC books into blockbuster movies and toy shop. With the Batman fever riding high today, DC Comics announced July 23rd as 'Batman Day' to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the iconic character. There are loads of offers flying around with publishers and various supply companies offering 'Bat-birthday' collectables and a brand new comic authored by Brad Meltzer.

In my small little corner in Mumbai, I have my very own Dark Knight saving me from the every day drama and epic disasters. My sweet little cutie pie Dell Venue 7 has proved every huge bulky powerful laptop wrong. My little knight in shining armour is not only pretty but also light on my hands, as quick as lightning and as powerful as it's bigger cousins. It not only has a look that one can boast of with a slender form and amazing features but also compliments me adding glamour to my life.

The tablet is such a versatile piece adding so much to the lifestyle that I follow. From being the perfect cynosure of all eyes to a show-stopper fashion accessory to the most important and useful tool on the go, it is a lifesaver 'My Batman My Dark Knight'.

Here is a low down of what so special about it, apart from the usual highlights.

The stunning HD Screen allows a pixel to pixel detailing not only my favourite apps but the videos and movies I like to watch on the go.
The super slim device easily slides into the smallest and trimmest handbags, never weighing down my arm or shoulder.
The two-camera option is a sure shot winner for my professional goals and needs.
The battery life allows a whole-day utility without fussing overcharges and life-lines.

So in a nutshell, the Dell Venue 7 is an iconic baby with a powerhouse battery, dream-like design, paper thin, balloon light and available in breathtaking red and dynamic black.

No comments

A child is born full-filled... however as one grows the wants and desires keep mounting up. From a Barbie doll and a bicycle... to a play-station and mobile phone. The best job in the world to a beautiful/handsome life partner, a trip abroad to a home and a super powerful vehicle. Does the list ever end?

Yes, most wishes and wants end after a successful chase and timely achievements. However, things which are much beyond our reach, illogical which deep within our hearts we know don't make sense or are impossible to achieve or silly to attain are what stays with us for a long time. These do not remain a simple want or wish they, turn into 'DARK DESIRES'.

Just as the rainbow of colours add vibrancy and exuberance to life, the unattainable brings in the feisty colour of dark desires .... BLACK

#WhatTheBlack

And then 'boom' you are offered a plateful of your unattainable desires??? Off you go on a wicked rampage with a sweet, yet cunning smirk. Mine hasn't left my lips since the time I began writing.

Desire for the Ultimate Romance - A Black Diamond

Diamonds are a girl's best friend, but if the friendship isn't unique it isn't worth it. A natural black diamond is rare and exquisite, but when adorned shines through the array of colours as the most commanding one. Black Diamonds consist of millions of diamond crystals bonded together through a porous structure which makes it very difficult to cut and polish.

The very fact that a Black Diamond is rarely used to make jewellery as it is porous, a piece with one would definitely up the ante as a symbol of ultimate romance. Coupled with a one-of-a-kind piece the astonishingly high price it commands, who in their right minds wouldn't desire to flaunt it? Oh, I sure wish for this mushy romantic diamond.

Desire for the Ultimate Power - A Block 39 Black Pistol

A GLOCK 39 Black Dreams SubCompact Pistol that combines the power and accuracy of the .45GAP and the perfect size for concealment. With just 800gms of the loaded pistol, anyone experienced or novice will find perfection in this small yet dangerous tool.

Built as a super compact model the G39 offers concealment with power and accuracy, a perfect fit for a woman's palm. With the insecure environment and lunatics around, who wouldn't want to have the power in their own hands? Oh, I sure wish for this powerful weapon.

Desire for the Ultimate Thrill - A Aston Martin Stealth Jet Black

The Aston Martin V8 Vantage N430 will set your pulses racing with excitement and intense performance of a sporting ethos. A heritage-inspired Motorsport mean machine, the STEALTH is a personalised Special Edition vehicle that is more a track gem than a road gem. The Stealth underlines the exceptional pedigree of N430 as a race car transferring technology to the road with conviction.

A motorsport-infused character in brooding black oozing premium personality.The Stealth is the very essence of a sports car, delivering impressive figures in any environment. With speed limits crossed every second who wouldn't want a winner in their hands? Oh, I sure wish for this thrilling ride.

Desire for the Ultimate Luxury - A Vertu Signature Pure Black

A Vertu handcrafted painstakingly by a single technician speaks volumes about its superior engineering and craftsmanship. With a Sapphire Crystal scratch proof screen and London Symphony Orchestra ringtones, the Signature Pure Black Vertu is a class apart.

Owing a Vertu is like a passport to a world of possibilities, from a 24-hour Concierge service to unique once-in-a-lifetime experiences. A single click of the Vertu Key and you have worldwide assistance, recommendations and priority bookings within seconds. Sounds Wonderful, isn't it? Oh, I sure wish for this luxurious handheld.

Desire for the Ultimate Fantasy - A Swiss Bank Account with tons of Black Money

Money earned on the black market stashed away in a foreign bank without any taxes paid to the government. Owning a part of the said $500 billion of illegal funds in foreign tax havens though unethical is sure a very attractive proposition.

Money Money Money! though technically not black, the term 'Black Money' suggests tons and tons of cash. Bundles of cash, the strongest weapon in any arsenal. Like they say, 'What Can't Money Buy?'. With access to obscene amounts of money,the world would be at one's feet. Oh, I sure wish for this fanciful dream fantasy.

Oh... now I should stop right!
~ Heena

1 comments

DESIGN

DRIVE

CONNECT

#WhatTheBlack

About Me

Follow Me

Most Loved Articles

Blog Archive

Labels

Gorgeous Readers

Facebook

Favorite Sites